Connecting Music to Media

ACRN is Ohio University’s All Campus Radio Network, but they are much more than just Internet radio. ACRN does everything from previewing local shows to reviewing albums.

ACRN focuses primarily on college rock. Their website, ACRN.com, is home not only to their online radio stream, but also their editorials. In the past ACRN has been able to gain access to many big name bands, such as Blink 182, Manchester Orchestra and Heartless Bastards. As far as feature their writing is concerned, ACRN tends to focus on the local music scene.

“We are in Athens so we need to focus on what is going on in Athens,” said Hannah Cook, managing editor of ACRN.

However, ACRN members strive to be more than just a music organization on campus.

“ACRN is about finding your voice,” said Cook. “We give students more chances to write creatively. That is why we focus on feature stories.”

Opportunity for Excellence

Students invited to submit media work

The Ohio University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has been given the opportunity to submit entries to the Mark of Excellence awards free of charge. Each student who is an SPJ member can submit two entries of their work and they will be reimbursed by the JSchool for the entry fee.

The Mark of Excellence awards are given annually by SPJ’s national chapter to honor the best in student journalism. The awards offer categories for print, radio, television and online collegiate media. Entries are first judged at the regional level. Next, first place regional winners advance to the national competition and are recognized at the SPJ spring conferences.

Mark of Excellence submissions are due January 25, by midnight. This is the first year that the JSchool is paying these fees. OU SPJ President Taylor Mirfendereski brought this to attention.

“Every year we never have a turnout of entries like we should with how nationally known our program is,” said Mirfendereski. “SPJ always has winners every year and we understand that money is an issue for college students. So by being allowed to have two entries paid for, students are given a tangible benefit.”

“Generation Y” Logs On, Tunes Out

The latest DIY tips, celebrity gossip and newest apps are available literally at the fingertips of smart phone users. This is a generation where social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have become the source of news for current events both domestic and international. In technology-infused environments from the classroom to the workplace where accessing information is easier than ever, many Americans still are tuning out important information in the media.

Americans now pay less attention to international affairs and consume less foreign news. Domestic news continues to dominate new American media. According to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 59 percent of Americans say they regularly watch the local news in their area. This has decreased significantly from the more than three-quarters of American who regularly watched local news in the early 1990s, but is largely unchanged from 2000.

“Our generation is so used to getting things instantly, everything is available in one click, and I think that makes us less interested in taking time to read and digest a traditional news story when we can get the gist in a 140-character tweet instead,” said Karah Finan, an OU junior studying journalism and political science.

Scripps Alumna Shares Tips for Time Management

When it comes to being successful, time management is a key component.  Jill Del Greco, an OU Scripps alumna, is an expert at time management and meeting pressure deadlines everyday at her job.

She has been working at the WHIO news station in Dayton as the crime and courts reporter for the past five years.  The members of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) skyped with Del Greco this past Wednesday evening to get an idea of what deadline reporting is all about.

As Del Greco began to describe an average 10-hour shift at the newsroom, many RTDNA students were in awe of all she manages to get done.  She even jokes that when she wakes up in the morning she “gets ready in front of my computer.”  She is constantly checking on the news beats and following up on old stories as well.

SPJ Students Learn to Utilize Journalism Apps

SPJ VP shows students how to use apps while working in the field

The Society of Professional Journalists started off their winter quarter meetings with a look into the ever-growing list of applications for smart phones and tablets that can be applied to journalism.

With technology constantly evolving and improving, it is becoming more important for journalists to see the benefits of using apps that can help them in the field.  The smart phone is starting to become the eyes and ears for those working on a breaking story.

While being stuck behind a desk is not the ideal situation for journalists trying to cover a story, smartphones like the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry have apps that now make a journalist’s daily work much easier.

App Expert and Vice President of SPJ, Emma Morehart, led this meeting by explaining some of her favorite and most useful apps. 

The Face of the JSchool

Scripps ambassadors ‘give back’ to their school

E.W. Scripps 2010-2011 ambassadors pose outside Scripps Hall last fall.

Have you ever wondered what to study or how to prepare yourself in college? Some say that asking college professors or family members can give you the right tools, but sometimes speaking to an E.W. Scripps School of Journalism student ambassador will do the trick. The ambassadors give a student’s perspective of what college life is like and are more than willing to offer advice.

This year, there are 22 JSchool ambassadors. Their majors range from magazine journalism to broadcast and news media, and some even chose a Carr Van Anda degree. No matter your journalism interest, there is an ambassador for you.

Column: Networking with a Washington, D.C. Flavor

Inc. co-editor Emma Morehart deserts “networking,” makes friends instead

Networking. Say it aloud. Taste it, really savor it. I’ll wait.

I know, you’re probably as sick of that word as I was. I used to think it tasted kind of bitter like the pink nail polish I stubbornly bit off my nails during my self-proclaimed tomboy childhood.

Networking. We journalists love it because it pads our resumes and, let’s be honest, we’re generally good at it. But we also hate networking because it feels fake and overrated. Our clips should speak for themselves, right? We’re the watchdogs. We’re the good guys! No brown-nosers need apply.

While waiting to cross the busy street in Georgetown, Morehart poses for a photo taken by her best friend and Inc. co-editor, Graylyn Roose.

Networking, networking, networking – let’s just get comfortable with it now – networking. All of the professors, alumni and guest speakers who told you to network were right (like how my mom was right about the gross nail biting habit).

A few weeks ago, I returned from an internship in Washington, D.C. I worked for the Office of Public Affairs, the communications arm of the Administrative office of the U.S. Courts. Months before, with law school in my future, I sought out internships that combined journalism and law. I had a chat with Tom Hodson, a Scripps alum and professor, who insisted I contact Richard Carelli, the Senior Public Affairs Specialist who later became my boss. After working for the Associated Press, getting his law degree, and taking a job with the courts, Carelli became one of E.W Scripps School of Journalism’s Distinguished Alumni.

For three months, I lived in D.C. with Kevin Zieber, a Scripps journalism grad, and Ryan Ford, another Scripps college alum. By the end of the internship, I had made more new Bobcat friends in D.C., many of them former Scripps kids, than I would have if I had stayed on campus for fall quarter. And I emphasize the word “friends.”

Column: Scripps Students Face the World Head On

Senior year is a busy time for every Scripps student. After almost four years of newswriting classes, unpaid internships, and lectures from our parents about the real world, it’s time for us to try it out for ourselves. The long holiday break is over and final tuition payments are coming due. It finally feels like the beginning of the end of college. It’s enough to make us want to sign up for another year … or three.

Last quarter I was lucky enough to get a taste of the real world a little bit early. Like many Scripps students, I took a quarter off for an internship. The change to intern with NBC’s Today Show in New York City was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was gone all fall quarter, getting accustomed to both the brand new task of living in America’s biggest city and working for a national morning news program.

For college students in general, the thought of working in the so-called “real world” is intimidating. It feels like a big change. Even though we work hard in our classes and strive to learn more in our extracurriculars, nobody really knows what to expect. The 6 a.m.’s seem daunting, a stark contrast to the 11 a.m. or noon starting times we’ve been able to schedule as upperclassmen.

But if the experience I had last quarter is any indication, there’s good news for Scripps students: we’re far more ready than we think we are. Working with shining stars in the field (like former OU student) Matt Lauer and Ann Curry, it was hard not to feel a little intimidated at first. I had experience internships beforehand, but never on a national scale.

I was smart to brace myself; they kept our schedules packed. No busy work for us. The other interns and I accompanied reporters and producers on local shoots, answered wacky calls from viewers at the front desk, and logged hours of tape. We came early and stayed late, learning firsthand about the time demands required in the news business. We were all lucky enough to spend at least two early mornings a week in the control room, running errands and watching the senior producers coordinate a four-hour show. I can’t say I got much sleep during my time in Manhattan, but I’m not sorry about it. It was the best way to learn.

Tackling the Transition

Scripps faculty members discuss the benefits and challenges of the transition

Ohio University will transition from quarters to semesters in 2012. For some, that sounds like a broken record, but for others it is scary, unfamiliar, territory.  Whatever your take on the switch, have no fear, Inc. is here!  This week, Inc. spoke with E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Director Bob Stewart  and Professor Hans Meyer to set your questions to rest.

What is the purpose of creating a plan with my advisor?  Does this plan lock me in until I graduate?  And when will I be notified to create one?

Scripps School of Journalism faculty gather to discuss the logistics of the transition.

“Scripps is being required by the university to show a pathway to graduate under semesters, in essence, if the student follows the plan then they are guaranteed to graduate at that time,” Stewart said. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is difficult to plan these things because it relies on numerous factors.”

By “numerous factors,” Stewart essentially means that “life happens.”  Things come up, classes become full, and sometimes students are just not able to take on the course load they anticipated.  However, the plan is simply to show people that they can graduate on time, Stewart said.

How to: Be resourceful in Scripps

Heather Wilson, Contributing Writer

Get Involved

Ohio University has over 270 student organizations. Within these, there are many journalism-related organizations that help to develop the skills related to your career aspirations. These organizations are not only fun social events, but they are great for gaining hands-on experience in your industry. Employers love to see that you are involved on campus and are eager to learn in the industry.

Being a member, or even officer, of a student organization is a great addition to your resume! Rebecca Koch, a member of Ad Club said, “It definitely helps [to be involved in student organizations]. I was able to learn a lot of different things and apply what I learned.” Koch also said that another benefit of being involved in a student organization is meeting other students in your major and networking. She mentioned that the trips that the clubs take are also beneficial. Below is a list of just a small selection of journalism-focused student organizations offered at OU:

Association for Women in Communications

Backdrop Magazine

Multimedia Society of Ohio University

National Communication Association, Student Club

National Press Photographers Association – OU Chapter

Public Relations Student Society of America

Speakeasy Magazine

Society of Professional Journalists

Students for a Global Media and Diversity

The Post

Thread Magazine

WOUB Sports Department

…and of course, INC!

For a complete list of student organizations within the college of communication, visit www.scrippscollege.ohio.edu/student-organizations

 

Enlarge Your Experience

Take advantage of internship listings provided by INC (ouspjinc.wordpress.com) and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism website (scrippsjschool.org). Internships are incredibly valuable. Even if you are not getting paid, you are learning essential skills to be competitive in your industry. Employers look favorably upon perspective employees who have the experience because they potentially will need less training than someone who has never participated in hands-on career experience.

OU Journalism Alumni and owner of Krile Communications, Angela Krile, stated, “Internships, experience, and the activities you are involved in are just as, if not more important than classes.”  Krile said to her the good thing about a journalism major is that just about every student organization relates to the field of journalism. “A lot of majors don’t have that opportunity,” said Krile. “Being able to take those [internship] experiences and equate them to a degree can make or break you.” The connections you gain during the internship are just as valuable as the internship itself. You never know if your internship could turn into your next job!

 

Computer Craze

Let’s face it; every time you walk into Alden, it’s difficult to find an open computer, especially a computer with Indesign or illustrator capabilities. If you have a project for class or just want to create items for your portfolio, this is the perfect place for you. The computer lab is located on the ground floor of Scripps Hall, room 006, and is open during the following hours:

Monday                    11a.m. – 3p.m.                   &                   4:30p.m. – 10p.m.

Tuesday                   1p.m. – 3p.m.                   &                    4:30p.m. – 10p.m.

Wednesday                  11a.m. – 3p.m.                   &                   4:30p.m. – 10p.m.

Thursday                  1p.m. – 3p.m.                   &                    4:30p.m. – 10p.m.

Friday                                     10a.m. – 5p.m.

*hours subject to change, for up to date schedule, check the lab door

Lasher Learning Center is also another great facility that is only available to journalism students. It is located on the second floor of Scripps. The center features free printing, contains a newspaper archive and  has a double-screened computer available for use.

 

Survey Savvy

Did you know that there is a Scripps Survey Research Center? Its purpose it to aid journalism students in the process of conducting research by helping them prepare questionnaires or even set up and distribute surveys via the computer. For more information about the center, visit www.ohio.edu/surveycenter 

Ready to Rent Equipment

Need a camera or tripod for your next photojournalism assignment? How about a video camera? Audio and video equipment are available for check-out at office 106 in Scripps Hall during their normal business hours. This is great for students who need a high-quality camera and don’t have the money to purchase one. The equipment can be check out for a period of two business days.

 

Academic Advice

Choosing a major or a sequence within a major can be stressful to deal with. If you want guidance or just need more information in order to make your decision, be sure to visit your academic advisor. Within Scripps, there are 42 faculty members. Many of these faculty members are also academic advisors, and even if they aren’t, many are willing to share their advice and expertise. Don’t wait until you are 3 years into a major you have never liked to seek out help. Do it now.